Henry Henry

February 26, 2024
Bratton unpacks the strife of an English aristocratic family in his darkly witty debut. Hal Lancaster, the eldest of six siblings, is fueled by alcohol, drugs, and sex. He’s also set to be the 17th (and third gay) Duke of Lancaster. The other two queer Lancasters who assumed the title met tragic ends. Languishing through life, Hal faces immense pressure from his widowed hypochondriac father, Henry, who inherited his title in 1990 after his cousin died due to complications of AIDS (the other gay Lancaster was Hal’s great-great-grandfather, who went into exile in 1910 after becoming the subject of a sex scandal with another man). Henry wants Hal to uphold the Catholic family’s reputation and not become another source of shame. On top of societal expectations and homophobic and religious scrutiny, Hal has also been sexually abused by his father since he was 14. As Henry plans a marriage of convenience for himself and Hal begins dating Harry Percy, whose family is socially intertwined with his own, Hal’s relationship with his father reaches a boiling point. Hal gains a newfound sense of agency as he wriggles out from underneath Henry’s thumb and attempts to connect with his family’s queer history. It’s a harrowing chronicle of survival and healing from generational trauma. Agent: Martha Wydysh, Trident Media Group.

September 13, 2024

It's 2014, and Hal is 22 years old, gay, Catholic, and, as the oldest son, the future Duke of Lancaster. He is the product of sexual abuse, privilege, and lack of purpose. Drugs and alcohol soothe his ambivalence about his future and allow the mental gymnastics necessary for him to submit to sexual encounters with his father. His younger siblings struggle with their own demons, but Hal seems unable to help. Then, Hal's father announces his intent to marry a rich woman to bolster the dwindling family fortunes. Hal's reaction to his situation is to seek oblivion. When the chance at a real relationship appears, Hal has no idea how to proceed. He wants to do better but can't seem to find a path forward. With his complicated debut, Bratton offers a queer, modern-day take on Shakespeare's Henriad, spinning a story of England's dissolute titled class. Sebastian Humphries skillfully narrates, employing an amiable, well-heeled accent to take listeners through the story's unresolved conflicts and considerations of shame, guilt, and impulsivity. Best for those seeking a character study rather than a tidy ending or careful plotting. VERDICT A harrowing tale of trauma and abuse, complicated by social class, religion, and familial expectations.--Joanna M. Burkhardt

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